Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation
Info
Holotype and paratype of St. Brandon's knife wrasse were landed on 13 October 2008 in the waters around the St. Brandon's Shoals (Cargados-Carajos Islands), a group of islands near Mauritius by research vessel R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen using a trawl net.
The water depth data given are based on the depth of the trawl net used, although deviating water depths are quite conceivable.
Unfortunately, the biotope and biology of this wrasse is not known, further findings of this wrasse are not known or have not been published yet.
Conspicuous is a large dark brown spot in the armpit of the pectoral fins.
Etymology.
The new species is named in honour of Oddgeir B. Alvheim from the Institute of Marine Research in Norway, who recognized the two specimens from the trawl catches of R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen as a probably new species and took a colour photograph of each one.
Similar species: Novaculops pastellus (Randall, Earle & Rocha, 2008) from Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
The water depth data given are based on the depth of the trawl net used, although deviating water depths are quite conceivable.
Unfortunately, the biotope and biology of this wrasse is not known, further findings of this wrasse are not known or have not been published yet.
Conspicuous is a large dark brown spot in the armpit of the pectoral fins.
Etymology.
The new species is named in honour of Oddgeir B. Alvheim from the Institute of Marine Research in Norway, who recognized the two specimens from the trawl catches of R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen as a probably new species and took a colour photograph of each one.
Similar species: Novaculops pastellus (Randall, Earle & Rocha, 2008) from Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
